Chapter 148
The student who had been twitching nervously trembled even more violently as I got closer. Initially, it was just a few flinches here and there, but now she was almost vibrating like a phone on silent mode.
This is over the top.
I admit that my first impression might come off as somewhat intimidating, given my job. However, that shouldn’t provoke such an apparent distress signal. A little eye avoidance or cautious glances would suffice; it’s not as if I’m about to launch a surprise attack!
Unless they’ve had a bloody encounter with the Inspection Department like Irina, there’s no need for such extreme reactions. It’s extremely rare for the Inspection Department to bite without a good reason.
So, are they commoners?
If she were nobility, she wouldn’t be shaking so excessively, so the chances lean heavily toward her being a commoner. An oblivious commoner wouldn’t be scared; she probably just has some vague, half-baked stories about the nobility that sound scary but lack any real substance.
“What’s your name?”
“Ah, I’m Amelia!”
I asked for her name just in case she was a fearful noble, but it turns out she really is a commoner. Nobles typically mention their surname too. With that, I avoided the blunder of mistaking a noble for a commoner.
I discreetly inspected Amelia, who had now stood up. She had long, purple hair and purple eyes, and she looked a bit on the smaller side, probably due to poor nutrition. Her pupils and body were still quaking like jelly!
I glanced sideways at her younger sister sitting next to her, who was the exact opposite in everything except hair and eye color. While her older sister looked like she was starving, the younger one had a sturdy build and a carefree expression. And her hair was way shorter than her sister’s—short and spunky!
“Olivia, you should say hello.”
“Oh, right!”
With trembling hands, Amelia nudged her sister, Olivia, who finally stood up, albeit a bit late.
“Hi, I’m Olivia! Nice to meet you!”
Despite her enthusiastic greeting, my mouth refused to budge. Instead, my gaze was fixated on the item that Olivia was clenching in her hands—probably something she’d been gnawing on moments before.
What in the name of cabbage is that?
Isn’t that a turnip?
Just when I thought dinner conversations couldn’t get any weirder, something unexpected popped up. I had clearly heard them talking about food, so it must’ve been what Olivia was munching on, right?
I assumed they’d at least be munching on bread, yet here I was staring at a raw turnip? Are academy students seriously surviving on that?
This is insanity!
If it were a potato, I wouldn’t have felt such shock. Eating potatoes isn’t uncommon among commoners or soldiers, after all.
But a turnip? Not only were they eating it raw, but it also seemed that even that wasn’t enough for both of them, as Amelia graciously gave up her share.
“Well, um, it’s a little sweet, so she was just snacking on it.”
With surprising quick wit, Amelia explained, interpreting my bewildered stare at the turnip as if it were the Mona Lisa.
Damn, that’s some quick thinking there.
I had heard that turnips, with their subtle sweetness, were occasionally used as snacks by commoner children.
Had it not been for the very clear growl from Amelia’s stomach echoing through the air, I might have even applauded her for such impressive quick-wittedness!
“Ugh, unnie! You said you already ate!”
Startled by the noise from Amelia’s stomach, Olivia quickly split the turnip in half and handed it over to her sister.
I was left utterly dumbfounded by the touchingly sweet, sisterly bond displayed before me.
Do these kids even know what an actual meal is?
*
The Imperial Academy is basically a paradise for commoners. It’s a place that’s entirely accessible for the high-ranking nobility and royalty, of course, but for commoners, getting admitted feels like a blessing from Enen himself.
Provided they don’t pull any massive scandals, commoners entering the academy can see a bright future on the horizon. Just being there indicates they’ve got the skills; proving those skills means a guaranteed job after graduation.
If they happen to catch the eye of someone important during their school years, their future becomes even brighter. Thus, commoner students focus on both grades and reputation, holding both tightly like it’s the last piece of bread in a famine.
Their effort determines their future. They might just become servants to a minor noble, but they could also become civil servants or maybe even key figures in the imperial administration! I’ve even heard that some receive nobility titles, with a few lucky souls even allowed to pass them down!
“Guys! I got into the academy!”
So when I first passed the academy entrance exam, it felt as though I had just won the lottery.
Left parentless and taking care of four younger siblings, I only cursed Enen for our strife-filled existence. But that was a past chapter; now, happiness is on the horizon!
Commoner students are offered full scholarships, along with living allowances. Of course, I plan to send it all back to my siblings. I can handle some hunger, or so I thought.
“Take care, Amelia.”
“Yeah, I’ve got this!”
“Are you sure? You can leave it to me.”
I genuinely did everything for my future and my siblings. I worked tirelessly to catch the eye of my noble peers. If my name gets lodged in the memories of some nobles, I could make it through anything!
In my heart, I longed to speak formally instead of using casual language, but sadly, that would be a blatant breach of academy rules.
“Unnie! I’m here too!”
“Olivia?”
Then, one year later, Olivia enrolled. Unlike me, she got in for her martial prowess.
Until last year, I had no idea she had any talent! If I’d done my part as an older sister properly, I would have uncovered Olivia’s talents sooner.
Tears almost swelled in my eyes but I forced myself to smile—I couldn’t ruin Olivia’s sunny disposition! Regardless, it’s a good thing for her! Olivia’s future is etched in stone now.
There’s no need for the four of us to share what I send anymore. Olivia will receive her own scholarship and living allowance. She should be all good to go!
Yet oddly enough, Olivia always looked like she could use a little tender loving care.
“Money? I sent some to the siblings, too.”
What?
In response, I was seething. Why am I struggling so hard? Everything I’m doing has been for their sake! Why can’t they see it? Did she honestly think I was doing all this only to watch her run around like a beggar?
I immediately demanded she knock it off, either drop out or sever ties with me, exclaiming while smacking Olivia on the back more than a couple of times.
“But I wanted to help you, unnie!”
Olivia, who was bigger than me, took the hits and bellowed back. I wanted to shout “What did you do to deserve this?” but I stopped short.
Seeing her eyes glassy with tears was enough to silence my retort. Instead, my own eyes began to sting as well.
Ultimately, I couldn’t sway Olivia’s stubbornness. Even when I told her to send less since there were now more givers and fewer receivers, she stubbornly refused! Apparently, the younger ones were growing and eating more than ever.
Well, what can I do about it? We’re already grown, so it only makes sense for us to send everything to the younger ones.
“There’s so much food in the nearby forest!”
“You’ve been to the forest too?”
“Yeah! I even made a small vegetable garden!”
“Impressive…”
With Olivia by my side, I believe I can weather any storm.
“What’s your name?”
But I sure didn’t ask for this kind of difficulty!
Today, just like any other day, Olivia and I were eating in a deserted corner. Nobles prioritize appearances and dignity, and they’d get pretty annoyed if they saw us chomping away. I can’t afford to annoy those who might become my bosses!
Yet here we were, instead of just some future boss appearing, someone with large power over the Empire came striding in.
Oh, no!
I was caught. I messed up. With the inter-class competition on, the cafeteria was empty, and we dropped our guard. We intended to eat quickly and run before anyone noticed us, and low and behold, we’re caught in the act by the scariest person imaginable!
Even as a commoner, I knew who this person was. Being a commoner makes you more acutely aware of certain dangers.
Nobles were the ones I had to watch out for, but this person was the head of the Inspection Department; even nobles tended to steer clear of him.
What do I do?!
On top of it all, the head of the Inspection Department was also the academy’s inspector. What if he got angry? What if he pointed out that an academy student wasn’t maintaining their dignity?
Would I end up in front of the Disciplinary Committee? If that happens, my reputation will take a nosedive, and what if I get expelled?!
A cascade of negative thoughts flooded my mind. When my stomach growled audibly in front of the head of the Inspection Department, I truly felt like the sky was crashing down.
“Follow me.”
After a moment of silence, the head of the Inspection Department finally spoke, turning around then.
Running away… would only make things worse, wouldn’t it?
With trembling hands, I held Olivia’s hand and followed the head of the Inspection Department.
Please, Enen.
I don’t mind what happens to me, but please, let Olivia graduate safely.
*
I only intended to eat and go home quickly; I never thought I’d end up sponsoring starving children.
“Unnie, unnie! Try this too!”
“Um, okay…”
But who can just turn a blind eye when faced with such a scene? Even the Crown Prince would’ve shed a tear, wanting to feed them something!
The sheer tragedy of it all—turnips, not even potatoes. The idea of not even being able to eat potatoes on this continent? That’s akin to living in my past world with no kimchi at all!
What is this empire coming to?
Being a commoner and making it to the academy means one possesses some serious talent. Based on conduct, they can become high-ranking officials or key retainers!
Yet here are two exceptionally talented individuals nibbling on plain ol’ turnips? Doesn’t this mean the Ministers of Education and Relief should be held accountable?
I suppressed a sigh and watched them. Olivia was happily munching away, while Amelia was nibbling quickly and cautiously, darting glances around.
“…Eat this too.”
I nudged some food from my plate toward them.
“Thank you!”
“O- Olivia!”
“It’s fine. I’m giving it to her, so let her eat.”
I felt like I might burst into tears if I let my guard down, so I couldn’t even manage to eat myself!
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